maidservant at the farm, of Suchdol
“I keep my head down and do my chores. Let the others shout; I have never missed a day's labour.”
Things Alice had written, latest first, with the glosses of her neighbours.
the Tuesday before Ascension Day, at Compline
The damp in the air today settles right into the bones. I was carrying the slops out and had to rest against the yard wall. The mistress walked by and I had to pretend I was just watching a hawk. If the Lord sees fit to bring warmer days, I would thank Him.
Nota scribaeDictated in a whisper, leaning against the doorframe.
the second day of May, at Vespers
William and Robert spent the whole morning screaming at each other over a dropped basket of turnips. Such noise over nothing. Lidka would have boxed both their ears and made them pick them up in silence. I just stepped over the mess to fetch the water. Fools waste their breath.
the Tuesday after Easter, at None
They say the King's brother is marching his Cumans about the country and taking whatever bread they please. Master John has us hiding the good grain. I only hope they do not come here. I could not run fast enough to the woods if they did.
Do not speak of where the grain is hidden to anyone, not even the priest.
the eve of St Joseph, at Sext
Isabel complained again today that her hands were chapped from the cold mud. I said nothing. A bit of cold mud is a blessing compared to a cart pinning you to a stone wall. Some people do not know what real trouble is.
My hands bled, Alice. It is not a sin to say it hurts.
I never said it was a sin. Just that there are worse things.
Nota scribaeShe paused for a long time after the word 'wall', rubbing her back.
the day after Candlemas, at Prime
Three winters today since old Lidka passed of the shaking fever. I lit a tallow candle for her soul. She was a stern woman, but she brought me broth when I was laid up. The house has been full of shouting ever since she went. God rest her.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
I can take the heavy pails tomorrow morning. You scrub the hearth where it is warm.
There is no time for watching hawks, warming or no warming. The floors will not scrub themselves.